Revolving cage gun with a plurality of barrels and removable chambers



p 5, 1961 H. J. OUELLETTE 2,998,758

REVOLVING CAGE GUN WITH A PLURALITY 0F BARRELS AND REMOVABLE CHAMBERS Filed June 19, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Herve .lElual] B111:

p 5, 1961 H. J. OUELLETTE 2,998,758

REVOLVING CAGE GUN WITH A PLURALITY 0F BARRELS AND REMOVABLE CHAMBERS Filed June 19, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 l1 2% LB.

INVENTOR. 3 H EIVE J DHEI11 5115 wmq qw Sept. 5, 1961 H. J. OUELLETT 2,998,758

REVOLVING CAGE GUN wrr P ALITY 0F BARRELS AND REMOVA CHAMBERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 19, 1957 INVENTOR- Harve Jflu BHEH'B Sept. 5, 1961 H. J. OUE TTE 2,998,753

REVOLVING CAGE GUN W T A PLURALITY 0F BARREL-S AND REMOV BL CHAMBERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 19, 1957 R m E V Sept. 5, 1961 H. J. OUELLETTE 2,998,758

REVOLVING CAGE-GUN WITH A PLURALITY OF BARRELS AND REMOVABLE CHAMBERS Filed June 19, 1957 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

HBIVE JJ] UBHBHE:

Sept. 5, 1961 Filed June 19, 1957 H. J. OUELLETTE REVOLVING CAGE GUN WITH A PLURALITY OF BARRELS AND REMOVABLE CHAMBERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent Ofi ice Patented Sept. 5, 1961 REVOLVING CAGE GUN WITH A PLURALITY F BARRELS AND REMOVABLE CHAMBERS Herve J. ()uellette, Springfield, Mass, assignor to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army Filed June 19, 1957, Ser. No. 666,788 4 Claims. (Cl. 89- 155) (Granted under Title 35, U.S. Code (1952), see. 266) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalty thereon.

My invention relates to an automatic gun with a receiver and a rotatable cage with multiple barrels, and more particularly to such a gun provided with a plurality of linked cartridge chambers displaceable from the cage for external charging thereof.

The rate of operation of automatic guns is limited by the rate of accumulation of heat in the portions of the gun mechanism provided to inclose the cartridges for discharge, and it is an object of my invention to provide such guns with a firing device including firing chambers for inclosing the cartridges with the firing chambers being displaceable from outside the receiver to a firing station therein for discharge of the inclosed cartridges through the barrels.

Another object of my invention is to provide the firing device with a mechanism for successively displacing the barrels to stations corresponding thereto including a firing station, and for retaining the firing chamber in the firing station for the discharge.

A further object of my invention is to provide an embodiment thereof with a firing device having combustion chambers for liquid propellant, means for conducting the propellant to the chambers and a mechanism for retaining the chambers in the firing station for the discharge.

A still further object of my invention is to provide the firing device with an electrical mechanism to discharge the liquid propellant in the firing station.

An additional object of my invention is to provide the firing device with a safety mechanism to prevent discharge of the propellant supply.

Other aims and objects of my invention will appear from the following explanation.

In carrying out my invention an automatic gun is provided with a receiver, a cage rotatable therein about a shaft, and barrels secured in the cage in symmetrical relation with the shaft. The gun includes a plurality of firing chambers, which firing chambers are linked to form a belt which extends outside the receiver for loading and unloading the firing chambers in a separate feeder;

The gun is provided with a tongue device including a piston mechanism disposed between the receiver and the cage for successively displacing the barrels to receiver stations including a firing station responsive to discharge gases in the barrels, and a firing device including breechlocks disposed in axial alignment with the respective barrels for axial reciprocation in the cage.

A sprocket in the cage locates the firing chambers in axial alignment with the barrels and cam means are disposed between the receiver, the belt and the breechblocks for engagement of the firing chambers between the barrels and the corresponding anvils in the firing station. The firing device includes a mechanism for discharge of the projectiles through the barrels in the firing station.

The cam means are disposed for reciprocal axial operation of the firing chambers and breechblocks, respectively, to support the firing chambers for discharge and subsequently release the firing chambers for displacement from the receiver.

In the alternate embodiment of my inventipn, anvils 2 slidingly support cylinders provided with combustion chambers for respectively inclosing charges of liquid propellant, and the anvils are provided with conductors for delivering the propellant from a pressurized source thereof to the chambers. A plurality of carriers, each inclosing a projectile, are linked to form a belt and means are provided for supporting the carriers between the combustion chambers and aligned barrels when the barrels are in the firing station. Normally closedvalves in the anvils control inlet of the propellant to the chambers, and cam mechanisms are disposed to open the inlet valves between the loading and firing stations for flow of the propellant to the chambers.

The chambers are respectively provided with spark plugs for engagement with the terminal of an outside electrical source disposed inthe firing station for discharge of the propellant in the chambers.

Spring-biased check valves in the conductors control inlet of the propellant responsive to the pressure thereof and the check valves close to prevent combustion of the propellant supply, responsive to equalization of propellant pressure in the chambers and the supply.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a gun incorporating one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a continuation of the view in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a View along line '3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view along line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a view along line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a gun incorporating a second embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 8 is a view along line 88 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a view along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Accordingly, a gun 12 is provided with a receiver 14 and a cage 16 including a shaft 18 disposed in the receiver. 22 are disposed in cage 16 in symmetrical relation with shaft 18. Breechblocks 22 are disposed for axial slidable operation in cage 16 and are provided with radial rollers 24 for engagement with a cam 26 of receiver 14. The

receivable by recesses 41 and 43 provided respectively in the rear ends of the barrels 20 and front ends of the breechblocks 22 to provide gas-tight connection of the firing chamber with the barrel and breechblock when the breechblock and'firing chamber are displaced forwardly, as hereinafter described. The engagements of the tapered sections 37 and 39 with recesses 41 and 43, respectively, also assures the axial alignment of the associated firing chambers 28 with the engaged barrels 20.

Firing chamber 28 is disposed in a link 32 having an annular flange 38 and a plurality of the linked firing chambers are pivotally connectedby strap type connectors 45 to form a belt 34. A sprocket 36 is coaxially disposed in cage 12 rearwardly of the rear ends of the barrels 20 and is arranged for rotation therewith. Sprocket-36is adapted to engagingly draw belt 34 through receiver 14 and index successive ones of the firing chambers 28 in alignment with successive ones of the barrels 20 during rotation of cage 16.

Cylinders 42 corresponding to barrels 20. are disposed in case 16 and espective y previdsd with platens M Three barrels 20 and corresponding breechblocks" 3 radial rollers 46 secured to stems 43 of the pistons for engagement with barrel cams 50 of receiver 14. Each of barrels communicates with a cylinder 42 for passage of discharge gases thereto.

Cartridges 3% are dischargeable as hereinafter described when passing through a firing station x (FIG. 4) which coincides with the position of the firing chambers 28 when intercepting the vertical plane of receiver 14 at the lowest point therein. A port 54 is provided in receiver 14 above the longitudinal axis thereof for entrance and exit of belt 34. A cam track 40 is disposed around the inside of receiver 14 so as to engage flanges 38 on the linked firing chambers 28 as belt 34 enters receiver 14 and control the longitudinal position of the firing chambers during rotation thereof by sprocket 36 in the receiver. Cam track 46 is generated so as to displace the firing chambers 28 forwardly for pressing tapered sections 37 into sealing and self-aligning engagement with recesses 41 in barrels 21 during rotation thereof to firing station x and then displace the firing chambers real-wardly, free of the barrels, during passage from the firing station to port 54. Relative longitudinal movement of firing chambers 28 is possible through the strap configuration of connectors 29 and the relatively long length required thereof, as noted in FIG. 4, because the firing chambers 28 when engaged by sprocket 36 are spaced 120 degrees apart.

Cam path 26 is generated so as to displace the breechblocks 22 forwardly against the firing chambers 28 after the firing chambers are pressed into sealing, self-aligning, engagement with the barrels 20 and before the barrels reach firing station x, whereby the tapered sections 39 are pressed into sealing, self-aligning engagement with recesses 43 in firing chambers 28 and the firing chambers are securely held between the breechblocks 22 and barrels 20, and in axial alignment therewith, when the cartridges are positioned in firing station it for discharge.

Cartridges 30 are discharged by electrical firing pins 27, provided in the breechblocks 22, which make connection through an electrical conduit 57 with an electrical contact 74 in receiver 14 when the anvils are forwardly displaced. Thus, a gas-tight connection is assured between the firing chambers 28, the breechblocks 22, and the barrels 20 when the cartridges 30 are discharged.

The operation of gun 12 is initiated by an external torque means, not shown, for rotating cage 16 sufliciently to bring one of the barrels 20 into firing station x for discharge of cartridge 30 in the associated firing chamber 28. Thereafter, gun 12 is self-energized for rotation through the action of the exploded gases upon pistons 44. As cage 16 is rotated, sprocket 36 is rotated therewith to actuate belt 34 through receiver 14 and index successive ones of the firing chambers 28 with successive ones of the barrels 20. When the firing chambers 28 are drawn into receiver 14, flanges 38 slidingly engage cam track 40 and during the rotation of the firing chambers to firing station x, the firing chambers are displaced forwardly by the cam track to press tapered section 37 into sealing and self-aligning engagement with recess 41 in the aligned barrel 20. At the same time, the breechblocks 22 which are rearwardly of the firing chambers 28 approaching firing station x, are actuated forwardly by cam path 26 while being rotated with cage 16, so that after the firing chambers are in sealing engagement with the associated barrels, and before the barrels have reached firing station x, the breechblocks are pressed against the firing chambers for sealing and self-aligning engagement of tapered sections 39 with recesses 43. Therefore, when a firing chamber 28 reaches firing station x for contact of electrical conduct 57 with contact 74 to discharge the inclosed cartridge 30, it is in sealing engagement with the corresponding barrel 20, and axially aligned therewith, and is sealed and supported at the rear end by the corresponding breechblock 22. After discharge of cartridge 30 at firing station x, breechblock 22 is actuated away from firing chamber 28 by cam path 26 and then the firing chamber is moved away from barrel 20 during rotational movement away from firing station x to port 54.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-9, wherein a machine gun 75, essentially similar to gun 12, is adapted for use of a liquid propellant, an anvil 58 is fixedly mounted against longitudinal displacement to cage 16 in axial alignment with each of the barrels 20. Each of the anvils 58 supports for sliding longitudinal displacement, a cylinder block 55 which is provided with a cornbustion chamber 56 therethrough. The combustion chambers 56 are closed at the rear ends by the front ends of the related anvils and the front of the chambers are necked down, as shown at 59, to a diameter approximately that of projectile 31. Each of the cylinder blocks 55 is provided with a roller 24, having sliding engagement with cam path 26 so as to be longitudinally positioned thereby.

Projectiles 31 are inclosed in carriers 70 which are similar to firing chambers 28 and are similarly provided with tapered sections 37 and 39 which are receivable, respectively, by recesses 41 in barrels 20 and with recesses 78 in the front ends of the cylinder blocks 55 for sealing, self-aligning engagement. Carriers 70 are encircled by links 32 which are connected by connectors 45 to form belt 34.

Liquid propellant is delivered into chambers 56 from a pressurized source of supply (not shown) by conductor means including a distributor 60 (FIG. 8) disposed in cage 16 rearward of shaft 18 (FIG. 7), radial ducts 62 communicable with the distributor, and a conduit 71, longitudinally disposed in each of the anvils 58. The conduits 71 are eccentrically disposed in the anvils with the rear ends being in communication with the associated one of the ducts 62 and the front ends opening into mouth portions 73. Discharge of the liquid propellant into combustion chambers 56 is controlled by an inlet valve 64, longitudinally disposed through each of the anvils 58. Each of the inlet valves 64 includes a stem 68 axially disposed through anvil 58 for sliding longitudinal displacement therein, and a head portion 65 which is disposed for sealing engagement with the front end of the associated mouth portion 73, to prevent communication between the combustion chamber and mouth portion. Inlet valves 64 are pressed into engagement with the mouth portions 73 by springs 80.

A valve cam 66 is disposed in receiver 14 for engagement with stems 68 of inlet valves 64 for opening and closing the valves responsive to the rotation of cage 16.

Cylinder blocks 55 are respectively provided with spark plugs 72 extending into chambers 56. A terminal 74 of an external electrical source (not shown) is insulated from receiver 14 and disposed for engagement with spark plugs 72 in the firing station for discharge of the propellant charges. Cage 16 and the external electrical source are connected to a common electrical ground (not shown).

Normally closed check valves 76 in ducts 62 are disposed to open responsive to pressure of the propellant and to close to prevent progress of combustion to the propellant source responsive to equalization of pressure in ducts 62 and aperture 60.

Thus, gun 75 is operated similar to gun 12 in that, during operation thereof, cage 16 is rotated by the action of the exploded gases upon the pistons 44 for actuation of sprocket 36 to move belt 34 through receiver 14 and align projectiles 31 in the carriers 70 with the barrels 20. After the carriers 70 enter receiver 14 through port 54 and flanges 38 on the associated links 32 are engaged by cam track 40, the carriers are displaced forwardly by the cam track to press tapered section 37 of the carriers into the aligned recesses, in recesses 41 in the barrels 20 for sealing, self-aligning engagement, as the carriers are moved towards firing station x. At the same time, the cylinder blocks 55 being rotated with cage 16 in back of the projectile carrying carriers 70 are moved forwardly by the sliding engagement of the rollers 24 on the cylinder blocks with cam path 26. Whereby, the cylinder blocks 55 are moved against the associated carriers for sealing and self-aligning engagement of tapered sections 39 thereon with recesses 78 in the cylinder blocks after the carriers 70 are engaged with the associated barrels 20 and before the inlet valves 64 are actuated by valve cam 66 to permit the passage of the liquid propellant into combustion chambers 56.

When a cylinder block 55 is rotated to firing station x, the related inlet valve 64 is released by valve cam 66, permitting spring 80 cooperating with such valve to close the valve for sealing engagement of head portion 65 with mouth portion 73; the associated carrier 70 is in sealing engagement with the associated barrel 20 and with combustion chamber 56; and spark plug 72 contacts electrical contact '74 for ignition of the charge of liquid propellant in the combustion chamber. The ignition of the charge of liquid propellant propels projectile 31 from carrier 70 and through barrel 20 with the exploded gases being bled from the barrel to the associated cylinder 42 for action upon the inclosed piston 44 for reenergizing cage 16 for continued rotation.

As cage 16 continues to rotate, the cylinder block 55 previously discharged is rearwardly displaced by cam path 26 from the associated carrier 70 which is then moved rearwardly by cam track 40 to be freed from the engaged barrel 20 for exit from receiver 14 through port 54.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is evident that many variations may be devised within the spirit and scope thereof and the following claims are intended to include such variations.

I claim:

1. In a machine gun including a receiver for rotatingly mounting a cage and a plurality of barrels mounted on the cage for successive rotation thereby through a firing station, the combination including sprocket means axially mounted relative to the cage rearward of the barrels and connected to the cage for rotation therewith, a plurality of firing chambers each inclosing a cartridge for discharge therein, said firing chambers being each encircled by a link having an integral flange, strap connectors for pivotally joining said firing chambers so as to form a belt engageable by said sprocket means and so that successive ones of said firing chambers are positionable thereby in axial alignment with successive ones of the barrels and are disposed for relative longitudinal displacement, a port in the receiver to permit entrance of said belt into the receiver and exit of said belt therefrom, a breechblock mounted in the cage rearward of each of the barrels for axial displacement relative thereto, a cam track formed inside of the receiver for sliding engagement by said flanges on said links when rotated by sprocket means in the receiver, said cam track being generated to displace said firing chambers forwardly into sealing engagement with the aligned ones of the barrels during rotation thereof to the firing station and rearwardly away from the associated barrels after passing thereby, a cam path formed inside the receiver for sliding engagement by a follower provided on each of said breechblocks to provide longitudinal displacement thereof, said cam path being generated to displace said breechblocks forwardly into sealing engagement with the related one of said firing chambers after said firing chambers are moved into sealing engagement with the associated barrels and before reaching the firing station, and firing means disposed for discharging the cartridges when said breechblocks are forwardly displaced into sealing engagement with the associated firing chambers and rotatingly displaced to the firing station.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 and including a tapered section provided respectively on the front and rear ends of said firing chambers, a recess formed in the rear end of each of the barrels to provide sealing and self-aligning engagement of the front ends of said firing chambers with the barrels when displaced forwardly by said cam track, and a second recess formed in the front end of each of said breechblocks to provide sealing and self-aligning engagement of the rear ends of said firing chambers with said breechblocks when the breechblocks are displaced forwardly by said cam path.

3. In a machine gun adapted 'for the use of a liquid propellant and including a receiver for rotatingly mounting a cage and a plurality of barrels mounted on said cage for successive rotation thereby through a firing station, the combination including sprocket means axially mounted relative to the cage rearward of the barrels and connected to the cage for rotation therewith, a plurality of carriers each inclosing a projectile, a link with an integral flange for encircling each of said carriers, connectors adapted to connect said links to form a belt engageable by said sprocket means and so that successive ones of said carriers are positionable thereby in axial alignment with successive ones of the barrels and are longitudinally displaceable relative to each other, a cylindrical anvil mounted at the rear end to the cage for forward extension in axial alignment with each of the barrels, a cylinder block slidingly disposed on each of said anvils for longitudinal reciprocation relative thereto into sealing gas-tight contact with the rear end of said carrier aligned with said cylinder block, a combustion chamber formed in each of said cylinder blocks for registry with the rear end of the projectile in the aligned one of said carriers, said combustion chamber being inclosed at the rear end by-the front end of said anvil associated therewith, a cam track formed in the receiver for sliding engagement by said flanges on said carriers, when positioned within the receiver, to displace said carriers longitudinally during rotation thereof with said sprocket means, said cam track being generated so as to move said carriers engaged thereby forwardly into sealing, gas-tight contact with the aligned barrel during rotation thereof through the firing station and rearwardly to release said carriers from the related barrels after passage by the firing station, a cam path formed in the cage rearwardly of said cam track for slidingly engaging a roller follower mounted on each of said cylinder blocks for positioning said cylinder blocks longitudinally, said cam path being generated so as to move said cylinder blocks forwardly into sealing gas-tight contact with the rear ends of the aligned ones of said carriers after the front ends of said carriers are disposed in sealing gas-tight contact with the aligned ones of the barrels, means for discharging liquid propellant into the combustion chambers after the related carriers are in sealing gas-tight engagement with the aligned ones of the barrels and said cylinder blocks, and means for igniting the liquid propellant in the combustion chambers when in the firing station.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3 and including a tapered section provided on the. front and rear ends of each of said carriers, a recess formed in the rear ends of each of the barrels to receive said tapered sections on the front ends of said carriers for sealing and self-aligning engagement, and a second recess formed in the front ends of each cylinder blocks to receive said tapered sections on the rear ends of said carriers for sealing and selfaligning engagement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,569,798 Carroll Oct. 2, 1951 2,756,639 Bird July 31, 1956 2,777,365 Musgrave a Jan. 15, 1957 2,804,808 Humphrey Sept. 3, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,003,687 France ....1.. Nov. 21, 1951 

